sociocultural theories

theories and terms for the sociocultural topic

social identity theory

social identity theory

refers to the way someone thinks about themselves and evaluates themselves in relation to groups

two types of self

• social identity: group memberships

• personal identity: self on a more individual, private and interpersonal level

3 steps to creating a social identity

• self categorisation

• social identity

• social comparison

self categorisation

focuses on which group people belong to

social identity

how people see themselves in relation to a group

social comparison

how people view and treat themselves and people in their group

in-group bias

• favouritism

• assigning favourable traits to the in-group

out-group bias

• derogate out-group to somehow make us feel better about ourselves

social cognitive theory

the process by which social influences affect us and change our thoughts, feelings and behaviours

5 stages of observational learning

• attention: must be actively watching the model

• retention: must remember the information and behaviour

• reproduction: must be physically and mentally able to recreate

• motivation: must have desire to reproduce

• reinforce: observe repercussions of the action

models

• behaviour is modelled by other members of a group

• more likely to learn if person can closely relate to the model

stereotype

generalised and fixed idea or an individual for being part of a group and their physical attributes

illusory correlation

people see a relationship between two variables even when there is none

stereotype threat

in a situation where there is a threat of being judged or treated stereotypically there is a fear of doing something that will confirm the stereotype

spot light anxiety

causes emotional distress and pressure that may undermine performance

culture

a dynamic system of rules, implicit and explicit, made by a group for survival that includes behaviours, beliefs, values, norms and attitudes

cognition

the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and the senses

enculturation

learning and maintenance of necessary and appropriate behaviours and norms of our own culture

cultural norm

set of rules based on socially or culturally shared beliefs of how an individuak ought to behave to be accepted within that group

cultural transmission

involved in passing cultural norms from one generation to the next

acculturation

process of cultural and psychological change that takes place as a result of contact between two or more cultural groups

assimilation

abandons original culture and adopts new cultural behaviours and values

integration

preserve original values but explore relationships with other cultures at the same time

separation

value their original culture and are afraid to lose it so avoid contact with other cultures

marginalisation

individuals do not maintain their original culture but do not seek contact with other cultures

individualism

• focuses on the individuals

• interest of individuals are more important

• conformity is lower

• compliance is higher

• encourage self expression

• stronger self identity

collectivism

• focus on the group

• compliance levels are lower

• stronger self identity

• less expression of emotion

• conform easier

conformity

obedience with standards, rules or laws